Passage:
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:
To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time — to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
-- Ephesians 1:1 (CSB)
Song:
How Rich a Treasure We Possess by Matt Bosswell and Matt Papa
Lyrics:
How rich a treasure we possess
In Jesus Christ our Lord
His blood our ransom and defense
His glory our reward
The sum of all created things
Are worthless in compare
For our inheritance is Him
Whose praise angels declare
How free and costly was the love
Displayed upon the cross
While we were dead in untold sin
The Sov'reign purchased us
The will of God the Father
Demonstrated through the Son
The Spirit seals the greatest work
The work which Christ has done
How vast and measureless the flood
Of mercy unrestrained
The penalty was paid in full
The spotless Lamb was slain
Salvation what a priceless gift
Received by grace through faith
We stand in robes of righteousness
We stand in Jesus' Name
For Yours is the Kingdom
And the power and the glory
Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory
Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory
Amen yeah amen amen
Prayer:
Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
